New birthing pool blessed at Lakes District Hospital
After more than 20 years in the making, Queenstown midwives, Southern DHB staff and locals are welcoming the blessing of a new birthing pool at Lakes District Hospital.
Left to right: Lakes District Hospital Midwifery Coordinator Ann Mackay, Southern DHB Director of Midwifery Heather La Dell, Kaumatua Michael Skerrett and Consumer Representative Catkin Bartlett.
Midwifery Coordinator Ann Mackay said in addition to the new pool, the birthing room and new toilet and shower installed as part of the renovations were blessed by Kaumatua Michael Skerrett at a small ceremony attended by midwives, a community representative, and Southern DHB staff this afternoon (Thursday 20 August). A larger community celebration will be planned once we return to Alert Level One.
Immersion in water for labour and birth has become increasingly popular over the last two decades. Women have found labouring in water helps them to relax and cope better with pain. Advocates suggest that immersion in water shortens the length of labour, decreases the amount of analgesia needed, and birthing in water provides the baby with a gentle introduction to the world.
“All midwives and staff are super excited about the renovations. It’s lovely to have a new space and one that has been designed for the needs of the local women. The space is fresh and looks homely and welcoming. It is something positive that we can offer women during labour to support primary birthing.
“So far 2020 has been challenging for women birthing in Queenstown because of COVID-19 and this feels like a way we can give back to the women for all their understanding during this difficult year.”
Southern DHB Manager Rural Health, Debi Lawry said hospital renovations, including the installation of reticulated oxygen in all the clinical rooms on the General Ward provides the hospital with greater flexibility and capacity than it had in April. While installation of reticulated oxygen in all rooms still had to be completed in the Maternity Unit, the work to date gave the hospital sufficient flexibility that the Unit would not have to relocate should a second wave of COVID-19 affect Queenstown.